Queensland Reds stretched with horror run of injuries ahead of Super Rugby encounter with Crusaders

Queensland coach Richard Graham has ruled out making any selection gambles for Sunday's clash with the Crusaders, admitting the cupboard is becoming bare in light of the Reds' growing injury list.

Liam Gill (calf), Eddie Quirk (rib) and Chris Feauai-Sautia (shoulder) are the latest to join the Reds' casualty ward after sustaining injuries in last Friday's 44-14 loss to the Blues in Auckland.

Gill had only returned from a five-week lay-off due to a hamstring injury, while Feauai-Sautia will miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season after being informed he will require a shoulder reconstruction.

The Reds are still without the services of back three options Lachie Turner (ankle) and Aidan Toua (pectoral), but they have received some brighter news with winger Dom Shipperley set to be available to play the Crusaders after recovering from a hip injury.

The injury woes and James Slipper's two-match suspension for a lifting tackle have simply added to a miserable campaign so far for the Reds.

I don't think it is different to any other side, a lot of teams go through injuries.

Richard Graham

They round out the bottom of the Australian conference and sit 13th on the overall standings on 16 points with a 3-7 record.

Graham concedes the depth of the Reds squad is being stretched with up to nine players sidelined through injury or suspension, meaning he cannot afford to throw the dice when it comes to matchday selections.

"Certainly in the backs there is not a lot to gamble with, we're down to the last 10 fit backs in our fully contracted squad," he said.

"In the forwards, on the back of James Slipper being suspended and then the two back rowers also being injured I think the selection of the squad will come within those remaining 12 or 13 fit guys."

It is stating the obvious to suggest the Reds are enduring a horror injury run but Graham is reluctant to make excuses, although he acknowledges his wing and full-back stocks have been hit particularly hard.

"I don't think it is different to any other side, a lot of teams go through injuries," he said.

"I think the thing that has compromised us throughout the season is it has happened in the back three. The likes of Turner, Toua, Shipperley, Sautia, highlighting an area we needed to continue to work on."

Reds to focus on defence ahead of Crusaders encounter

Another area the Reds are mindful they need to work on is their spluttering defence, which has leaked 29 tries this season.

They sit above only the Cheetahs (41) in terms of tries conceded, a far cry from their 2013 season in which they let through just 23.

The past two matches against the Blues and Hurricanes have been costly with 10 tries scored against the Reds, with Graham highlighting his game plan had been concentrated more on the attacking side of the ball.

The defensive assignment against the Crusaders does not get much easier, with the Christchurch-based franchise posting three tries in a convincing 40-20 win at home to the Brumbies last Saturday, despite only enjoying 45 per cent of possession.

"The last two weeks we've focused heavily on attack and they way we wanted to play, and capitalise on some of the opportunities we've capitalised on," he said.

"But certainly this week we've got a big focus on rectifying that and making sure we defend well."

Graham will announce his matchday squad on Friday, with Beau Robinson and Curtis Browning expected to replace Gill and Quirk in the back row respectively, while Shipperley is set be named in place of Feauai-Sautia.

The Crusaders will again be without Kieran Read, who will be rested as he continues his recovery from concussion.